Vacuum-pump and cleaning apparatus.



1911. SHEET 1.

2 BHEETS Patented Aug. 29

L. L. MONTGOMERY. VACUUM PUMP AND CLEANING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.23, 1910.

' L. L. MONTGOMERY.

VAGUUM PUMP AND CLEANING APPARA'I US.

APPLIOATION IILED MAR, 23, 1910.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

2 8HEETB-BHEBT 2.

ATTORNEYS.

IiEAL L. MONTGOMERY, OF SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN.

l VACUUM-PUMP AND CLEANING AJPPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

Application filed March23, 1910. Serial No. 551,029.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEAL'L. MONTGOMERY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Superior, in the county of Douglas and State ofWVisconsin, have invented a new and Improved Vacuum-Pump and Cleaning 1Apparatus, of which the following is a full,

clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a new and im- 3roved system for obtaining avacuum by hydraulic pressure, whereby cleaning by vacuum may beaccomplished, and which maybe reversed to form, to a certain extent, ahydraulic air-compressing pump.

An object of this invention is to provide a device which will be simplein construction, inexpensive to ,manufacture, strong, durable, andautomatic in its operation.

. A further object of this invention is to provide a system in whichhydraulic means creates a vacuum or pressure, with means forautomatically controlling said hydraulic means by the vacuum or pressurecreated.

These and other objects, together with the construction and combinationof parts, will be more fully described hereinafter and set forth in theclaims.

Reference isto be had to the accompanying drawings,.fo rming a part ofthis speci fication, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures, and in which Figure 1 is avertical section showing a fragmentary portion of my system in operation; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of thevacuum former; Fig. 3is a horizontal sectionon the line 33 ofFig. 2; Fig. 4 is an 'enlargedfragmentary sectional elevation ,of the valve control; and Fig. 5 is anenlarged. detail section of the automatic valve for preventing the waterfrom entering the distributing system in case of derangement of..themechanism.

Referring more particularly to the separate parts of the device, 1indicates a vacuum former, which is supplied through a nozzle 2 withwater under pressure, whichis supplied by means of a pipe t, connectedto a pump or'any other suitable source of'water under'a head. :Thevacuum former 1, which, as will be seen later, may also be termed a dustcollector and a pressure former, consists of acasing 5 formed with avacuum chamber 6 at the upper end, and provided with "a plurality oftelescoping pipes or nozzles 7, 8 and 9. It will be noted that betweenthe pipes 7'and 8 and 8 and 9, there are provided annular chambers10'and 11, 1n which a vacuum is created by the downward rush of airthrough the nozzles, thereby tending to regulate the operation of thedevice. Connected to the vacuum chamber 6, there is provided a pipe 12,which in turn is connected to a distributing system represented by apipe13. This distributing system is provided with a plurality of valve- Icontrolled auxiliary pipes 1 1, to which may be attached suitablecleaning devices, such as vacuum cleaners or pressure clusters. The flowof fluid between the pipe 12 and the system 13, is controlled by meansof a valve 15.

In order that the water in the vacuum former 1 may not back up into thesystem represented by the pipe 13, there is provided an automatic valve16, the exact structure of which will be more readily seen by refereneeto Fig. 5. It will be. seen here that the valve 16 consists of a casing17, having upwardly-extending flanges 18 spaced apart from each other,so as to form a support for a ball valve 19, in such a manner that itwill permit the flow of fluid down through thepipe 12. The upper end ofthe casing 17 is provided with a resilient packing 20,

against which the ball 19 is adapted to impinge when raised by a back.pressure in the pipe 12, so as to prevent the flow of fluid in an upwarddirection and thus prevent the fluid from backing 11 into the system 13.The fluid which is uti ized in creating a pressure or "vacuum in theformer 1, flows out together with the air drawn thereby through pipes 21and 22 intoa tank 23. The flow of fluid through the pipe 22 iscontrolled by means of a valve 2%. The pipe 21 is also connected bymeans of a stub pipev 25, to a tank 26, which is preferably superposedon the tank 23 andconnected thereto by means.

of a pipe 27, which" extends in close juxtaposition to the bottom of thetank 23. The flow of fluid through the stub pipe 25 is controlled by avalve 28. .In order that the pressure in the tank 26 may not act back onthe former 1, there is provided an automatic check. valve 29, which isadapted to close when the pressure in the tank 26 exceeds the pressure.in the former 1.

It is to be noted by reference to Fig. 1,

that the'system pipe 13 is provided with a break indicated at 30,located in the tank 26 adjacent the top thereof, so that when a vacuumis created by the former 1, the ef-.

' feet thereof will be felt in. the tank 26. The

or sleeves 35 and 36.

purpose of having the vacuum evident in the tank 26, is to provide meansfor controlling the supply of water to the former 1 and cut oilthissupply when the vacuum being created is no-longer used. For thispurpose, there is provided in the pipe 4, a valve 31, which is connectedin a manner to be described, to a float 32 located 1n the tank 26.

The specific manner of connecting the valve 31 to the float 32, is moreclearly lllnstrated in Fig. 4. Here it will be seen that the valve 31isprovided with a lever 33, which is pivotally connected in any wellknown manner to a casing 34. The interior of the casin 34 is screwthreadedat each end, to provlde a suitable means for securing correspondingscrew-threaded thimbles Extending through the thimbles 35 and 36, thereis provided a rod 37, which projects through the bottom of the casing-34and through asuitable pack: ing joint 38, into the interior of the tank26, where it is connected to the float 3.2 in such a manner as toprovide a limited relative motion thereto, as by means of the slotanywell-known manner, spring-pressed and-pin connection indicated at' 39.The rod 37 is provided intermediate its ends with a trip 40, inthenature of a beveled collar secured to the rod in any well-knownmanner. This trip forms a convenient abutting. member for springs41 and42 arranged on opposite sides thereof and abutting at their oppositeends against the thi nbles 35 and 36, respectively. It will be seen thatthe tension on the springs 41 and 42 can be regulated by, regulating theposition of the thinnbles '35 and 36 with 'respect 'to the casing 34, sothat the motion of the rod 37 in either direction can be controlled torespond to a given force in either direction.

Arranged alongside of the casing 34 and supportedv in any suitablemanner as by being secured to the tank 26, there is provided a frame 43,which. slidingly. supports in dogs 44 and 45 which are adapted toalternately en age, respectively; openings 46 and 47 in t e casing 34.WVhen-the dogs 44 and 45 engage the openings 46 and 47, respectively,they look the casing 34in positions corresponding, respectively, to theopen and closed positions of the valve 31. The dog's 44 and 45'projectinto'the interior of the casing 34 in such posit-ion that they will bereadily engaged by the trip 40 during its motion, soas to disengage themand permit the vertical movement of the casing 34, and thuspermitthemanipulation of the valve 31. Inasmuch as the trip 40 can only move asuflicient distance torele'ase the dogs 44 and 45 when its operatingmeans has overcome the tension of the springs 41 and- 42, any slightvariation in the pressure or "acuum in the tank 26,'will not actuate thefloat 32 a suflicientamount to operate the valve 31', so that this valvewill not be constantly opened and shut to respond to slightirregularities. v

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 1, that there is provided anoverflow pipe 48, connected to the upper end of the tank23, Which'is-adapted to carry ofl' the water saturated with dust and dirt fromtheyaeuum cleaner into a sewer pipe indicated. at 49.

When it is desired to use the system as a pressure pump, it is advisableto have a direct inlet of air, to the former 1, which is represented bya pipe 50, the flow of fluid through whi'ch'is controlled by a valve 51.

v The operation of the device will be readily and thus in the tank 26and the system pipe suction in the pipe 12 i 13. Vacuumcleaners -orother devices in other rooms may be attached to the'connections 14 andutilized by opening the valves therein. The dirt and air entering the,vacuum: cleaner travel down through the pipe 13 into the pipe 12 andthus into thev former 1, from whence' they flow with the water into thetank 23.

els off through the sewer pipe "49'. If, for

any reason, water should be fed too fast to the former 1,any tendency ofthis water to back up in the system pipe 13,- will be checked by theautomatic valve 16, which will automatically drop when this abnormalcondition has passed.- When further use of the vacuum in the system pipe13 has ceased,jand the valve in the connection 14 is closed, there willbe no further necessity for the vacuum, and the excessivevacuum createdwill withdraw the air from the tank 26, so that the water in the tank 23will be drawn up into the tank 26. When this water has reached the float32, if the vaeuum'still continues, the rod 37 will be positivelyforcedupwardly against the tension of the spring v41,

When the tank 23 becomes full, the dirt-saturated water travso. that thetrip 40 will raise the dog 44, per-,

mitting the casing 34 to be moved upwardly by the float 32, thus Shouldthe vacuumbe used again in the system 33, the vacuum in the tank 26 willbe broken, thereby permitting thewater therein to flow back into thetank 23,;thus allowing the weight of the float and to open the valve 31when the water in. the tank 26 has receded sufliciently to permit theweight of the parts to exert the force neces sary. The springs 41 and 42will permit slightchanges in vacuum without operating the valve 31, andthe tension thereof can be closing the valve 31.

the casing 34, i

varied by "the thimbles and 36. Then zhe.v water fills the tank 26, thecheck valve 2-9 automatically prevent-s its being drawn )ack into theormer 1.

When it is desired to use the system as a,

oressure system, the valves 15 and 24 are ilosed and the valves 28 and51 opened. The III will then be drawn directly through the 1116i? intothe former 1, where it is compressed by the h draulic force of the wateradmitted throug the pipe by the valve .31. Pressure created in theformer 1 is accumulated in the tank 26, which acts as a storing tank.Inasmuch as the pipe 13 is provided witlrthe break 30, which is locatedinteriorl of the tank 26, the pressure created in the ormer 1 and storedin the tank 26, can be utilized in the system pipe 13 by connecting tothe extensions 14, any suitable devices, such as pneumatic pressuredusters.

There will be a water-seal on the bottom of the pipe 27, so that thepressure accumulated in the tank 26 cannot escape into the sewer pipe.

While I have shown one embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to belimited to the specific details thereof, but desire to be protected invarious, changes, alterations and modifications which I may make withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as'new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a hydraulicvacuum former, of a valve for controlling the flow of water tosaidformer, a tank, a pipe for connecting said tank to the vacuum end ofsaid former, a supply of water for said tank, and a float located insaid tank and connected to said valve, whereby vacuum in said formerwill raise water in saidgtank and actuate said float to close saidvalve.

- 2. In a device of the class described, the combination with ahydraulic vacuum former, of a valve for controlling. the flow of waterto said former, a tank, means for connecting the inlet side of saidformer to said tank, means for connecting the 'outlet sideof said formerto said tank, whereby the overflow water from said former may be drawninto said tank, a float in said tank adapted to be operated 'by the riseof water in said tank, and connections between said valve and saidfloat, whereby the movements of said float are transmitted to saidvalve.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a hydraulicvacuum former, of a valve for controlling the flow of water to saidformer, a tank, means for connecting the outlet side of said former tosaid tank, whereby the overflow water from said former may be drawn intosaid tank, a

float in said tank adapted to be operated by the rise-ofwater in saidtank, and connec-" tions between said, valve and said float, whereby themovements of said float are transmitted to said valve, said connect onscomprising means for permitting a limited relative movement of saidfloat in respect to said valve. i

4:. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a vacuum former, of an air inlet to said former, anauxiliary air pp y means or controlling the flow of fluid through saidpipe, an operating fluid inlet for said former, an outlet forsa1d--.former, a v tank, connections between said tank and ipe connectedto said air inlet, 1

both said air inlet and said outlet, and

means for controlling the flow of fluid through said connections. l

5. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a vacuum-former, of an 3 air inlet to said former, anauxiliary air supply pipe connected to said air inlet, means I forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said pipe, an operating fluidinlet for said former, an outlet for said former, a tank, connectionsbetween said tank and both said air inlet and said outlet, means forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said connections, and means insaid tank controlling the flow of operating fluid through saidoperating-fluid inlet.

6. In a device of the class described, the i combination with. ahydraulic vacuum former, of a water inlet for said former, a valvecontrolling the flow of water through said inlet, a float, operativeconnections to said former, whereby the volume of fluid passing throu hsaid former is adapted to actuate said cat, a rod connected to saidfloat, a casing connected to said valve and resiliently engaging saidrod, a pair of dogs adapted to lock said casing in positionscorresponding to the open and closed positions of said valve, and a tripon said rod for releasing said dogs.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination .vvith ahydraulic vacuum former, of a water inlet for said former, a valvecontrolling the flow of water through said inlet, a float, operativeconnections to actuate said cat, a rod connected to said float, a.casing connected to said valve and resillently engaging said rod, a pairof dogs" adapted to lock said casing in positions correspondin to theopen and closed positions of said vs vs, a trip on said rod forreleasing said dogs, and resilient means for resisting the movement ofsaid rod in both directions.

, 8. Ina device of the class described,the

combination with a hydraulic. vacuum former, of 'a water inlet for saidformer, a valve controlling the flow of. water through said inlet,afloat, operative connections to former is adapted to 'through saidformer,

said'former, .wherety passing throu h sai actuate saidoat, a rodconnected to said float, a casing connected to said valve andresiliently engaging said rod, a pair of dogs adapted .to lock saidcasing in positions corresponding to the open and closed positions saidtank and said outlet, a float in said tank adapted to be operated by thefluid passing a: valve controlling the flow of water to'said in1et,acasin operatively connected to said valve, an adjustable thimble in eachend ofvsaid casing, a rod slidinglymounted said thimble and connected tosaid float, a pair of dogs adapted "to lock said casing in positionscorresponding to the open and closed positions of said the volume offluid ormer is adapted to valve, a trip on said rod adapted to releasesaid dogs, and sprin located on opposite sides of said trip an abuttingagainst said thimbles.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with ahydraulically-operated vacuum pump, of a tank, another tank superposedon said first-mentioned tank,a pipe connecting the bottom of saidsecond-men tioned tank. to the bottom of said first-mentioned tank, airpipe connections between said pump and said second-mentioned tank,

additional. connections between said pump and said second-mentionedtank, Water pipe connections between said first-mentioned tank, valvesfor controlling the flow'of fluid through said connections, a

pump and said.

float in said second-mentioned tank, and a valve for controlling theoperating fluid for fslaid pump, operatively connected to said oat.

In testimony whereof I have name to this specification in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses. 1

' LEAL L. MONTGQMERY.

Witnesses:

J. T. MILLER, CHARLES SARENSEN.

copies of this patent may-be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner 0!) Patents,

Washington, D. 0;"

signed my

